Softball legend and women’s sports pioneer Joan Joyce passed away on Saturday; her death was announced by Florida Atlantic, where she had been the head coach for 28 years, on Sunday.
Joyce, who played in the LPGA, bowled, and once struck out both Hank Aaron and Ted Williams in exhibitions, has been called the greatest female athlete to ever live. She was a standout softball player whose career as a whole has been memorialized in book form and in a stage play.
Following the news of Joyce’s passing, the softball world reacted to the loss of a legend. Joyce’s coaching peers, fellow playing legends-turned-coaches, and others shared their individual tributes.
Joan was an amazing friend and roll model to me. She was always supportive of my charity events and tournaments. Never questioned… was always there to be a part of something that mattered especially if it helped others in need. I’ll miss you Joan ❤️🥎 https://t.co/xDc5SUcDep
— Michele Smith OLY (@MicheleSmith32) March 28, 2022
.@CoachDot_LU shares some thoughts on the legacy of her friend Joan Joyce. ❤️ @FAUSoftball pic.twitter.com/EfvKrQzEma
— Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) March 27, 2022
I was lucky to spend an hour one day recruiting-talking pitching and golf with legendary Joan Joyce from @FAUSoftball . Such an honor to spend that time with her. Condolences to her family and the @FAUAthletics family. Women’s athletics is better today because of her. RIP. CJ
— Marist Softball (@MaristSoftball) March 28, 2022
With a heavy heart we say goodbye to a legend, Joan Joyce❤️ @fausoftball I’m grateful that Sharron Backus introduced me to her when I was a SA at UCLA! Loved the stories of what a Beast she was on the mound 👊🏼her presence on the field & her sense of humor will be missed! ❤️🙏🏼
— Kelly Inouye-Perez (@Coach_Inouye) March 28, 2022
Heart is with @FAUSoftball during this time. Rest In Peace, Joan Joyce. A true legend & I always enjoyed our conversations at the field. @grahamhays: “She wasn’t the product of Title IX. She was the inspiration for it. Her excellence demanded equality.”
Thank you, Joan. ❤️ https://t.co/DVkh9rHmJy
— Chrissy Schoonmaker (@CSchoony11) March 28, 2022
A true legend and will be missed by so many. Thoughts and prayers with @FAUSoftball and the Joyce family.💔 https://t.co/T0HulO1zPO
— Bridget Orchard (@bridgetorchard) March 28, 2022
We lost an icon and a legend! Joan Joyce was a rock star of an athlete and a badass woman! I was honored to have her as a friend, and a colleague! Our sport is indebted to your abilities to crash all the ceilings! Condolences to @FAUSoftball! Rest In Peace Joan! pic.twitter.com/XWuC5F58CU
— Carol Hutchins (@UMCoachHutch) March 28, 2022
My heart is broken as we celebrate the life of one of the greatest female athletes of all time. More importantly, one of the strongest woman and mentor. I love you coach and you touched us all in a way that will live forward ♥️🦉 https://t.co/vFYe6hslZ0
— Chris Sutcliffe (@sut24) March 27, 2022
Thoughts and prayers to the @FAUSoftball program. Had the opportunity to coach several games against Joan and the FAU softball program. Always great to hear her stories. Her passion for the game of softball was amazing. pic.twitter.com/5rcz5Ohpgf
— Jimmy Kolaitis (@Jkolaitis3) March 28, 2022
Today we mourn one of the game’s greatest person/player/coach of all time, Joan Joyce @FAUSoftball You left the game better than you found it. Thank you for all you did for everyone you met. Your legacy will be felt forever. RIP 🙏 Joan!
— Tim Walton (@_TimWalton) March 27, 2022
An extraordinary person. Blessed to have worked with her. One of the amazing pioneers of women in sports…especially helping young women reach their collegiate athletics goals! A sad loss for FAU, the state of Florida, college athletics and all who loved her. 🙏🏽 https://t.co/LX6DSangFd
— Terry Mohajir (@TerryMohajirAD) March 27, 2022
Pioneer, Legend, Incredible Woman, and Coach! Thank you paving the way for all the strong women that do it today and in the future. ❤️ https://t.co/32mTOVAJhy
— Beth Mullins (@BMullins_1) March 27, 2022
RIP, Joan. 💙@FAUSoftball x @AuburnSoftball pic.twitter.com/Y0kdqD0NU2
— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) March 27, 2022
A true legend and pioneer in Women’s Softball. It was an honor to work with you at the USA Olympic training center camp. It was obvious how well respected you always were. Sending Aloha to the @FAUSoftball and Joyce family. https://t.co/BCKD7Hlefd
— Bob Coolen (@UHawaiiSoftball) March 27, 2022
a true legend in the world of athletics. there are no words 💔 https://t.co/IOCuCsVp49
— Georgina 🌻 (@georgecorrick) March 27, 2022
RIP Joan Joyce. You gave so much to the game and paved the way for so many. Thank you for the gift you were to softball and all females in sport. https://t.co/m5mNIbfOn3
— Beth Krysiak (@CoachKrysiak) March 27, 2022
Heartbroken 💔. https://t.co/ZyupUFUwXm pic.twitter.com/hwllDZWWXR
— Sam Maples, MBA (@Coach_Maples) March 27, 2022
Tip of the cap to a legendary trailblazer for women’s athletics .. to know our past leads us to respect our future! What a sports life she enjoyed & lived to the fullest! #RIPJoan pic.twitter.com/jhezek9puS
— Lonni Alameda (@Coach_Alameda) March 27, 2022
Joan was a legend, icon and friend. I cherished every opportunity to learn from her when our paths crossed on the recruiting trail. She will be missed!
— Karen Weekly (@KarenWeekly) March 27, 2022
We lost a legend today. Thank you Coach Joyce for paving the way for all of us. You left a lasting impact on all our lives. You will be missed. 💔 https://t.co/9I5nV07Jaz
— Larissa Anderson (@CoachLarissaA) March 27, 2022
Softball lost a true Legend today but her legacy will live on. May she Rest In Peace 💔 https://t.co/nrbDtqsG4S
— Lauren Karn (@CoachLaurenKarn) March 28, 2022
Our softball world lost a legend today. Thank you for being a pioneer and impacting so many lives. Your legacy lives on, Coach. ❤️ https://t.co/kGvUn2s9G5
— Kassie Stanfill (@KassieD23) March 28, 2022
A legend-hero-trailblazer- who inspired us all. There will never be another one quite like Joan. 🙏 https://t.co/JUw9ScceSh
— Carol Bruggeman (@CoachBrugg) March 27, 2022
Pioneer, Legend, phenomenal story teller.
Rest In Peace. 🐐 https://t.co/ywGGorJMn4
— Erica Ayers (@JAX_CoachE) March 27, 2022
We get to do what we do every day because of the battles she fought. Thank you Coach for blazing a trail for the future of softball 🥎🤍 https://t.co/gX76Mha1Nh
— Emlyn Knerem (@CoachKnerem) March 27, 2022
The sport lost an incredible woman. Coach Joyce was willing to help me and advise me when I first got into college coaching. She always took my call and I learned so much from her. Incredible person and a great ambassador to our sport. She will be missed. #RIP to a legend. https://t.co/1WQfprA1Pv
— Jamie Pinkerton (@CoachPinkerton) March 27, 2022
I am very sad to hear of the passing of Joan Joyce. What a life she had!
— Joe Guthrie (@JoeGuth08812179) March 27, 2022
In loving memory of Coach Joan Joyce ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DhS3bZEc4b
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) March 27, 2022
Rest In Peace, Coach Joyce 💙❤️@FAUSoftball x @UCF_Softball pic.twitter.com/9xBudNLUxD
— USF Softball (@USFSoftball) March 27, 2022
You’ll be forever missed Joan Joyce. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all you’ve done for women in sports. ♥️ @FAUSoftball https://t.co/EIhgw0P7CH
— CMU Softball (@CMUSoftball) March 27, 2022
We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of legendary coach Joan Joyce.
She was truly an amazing person with so much passion for the sport of softball.
Our hearts are with the @FAUSoftball family and everyone who knew her.
Her presence will be greatly missed❤️ https://t.co/Kj7yM8pe9i
— Illinois State Softball (@RedbirdsSB) March 27, 2022
Rest In Peace to the Goat 🐐!! You gave us so much! Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/EprK5bZWVp
— Coach Teague (she/her) (@JenTeague24) March 27, 2022
The saddest day for softball. You have been the best mentor. Thank you for absolutely everything- you’ve been a wonderful leader and a true competitor until the end. Go rest now, Legend ❤️💙 https://t.co/Va4ZqK2zEa
— Jen Steele (@CoachJenSteele) March 27, 2022
